Broom having a removable pivotable handle

ABSTRACT

A broom having a handle is pivotably connected with respect to the broom block having bristles secured therein. A handle connector is releasably fastened to the handle and releasably pivotably connected to the broom block by means of a snap coupling.

United States Patent Whitaker [54] BROOM HAVING A REMOVABLE PIVOTABLE HANDLE [72] Inventor: Wiley M. Whitaker, 227 Lexington Road, Asheboro, N.C. 27203 [22] Filed: Jan. 6, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 104,225

[52] US. Cl ..15/172, 15/176 [51] Int. Cl ..B25g 3/38 [58] Field of Search .15/143 B, 144 R, 144 A, 144 B, 15/145, 146, 147 A, 147 B,172, 176, 229 B,

229 BC, 229 BP, 244 A; 306/1, 11, 19, 20,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 744,558 11/1903 Kelly ..15/144 R 856,515 6/1907 Cutter ..306/19 2,561,025 7/1951 Le Febvre ....15/144 R 1,932,099 10/1933 Cabana ..'..306/23 [451 Dec. 5,1972

Garber ..287/103 A Primary Examiner-Danie1 Blum Attorney-David Rabin [5 7 ABSTRACT A broom having a handle is pivotably connected with respect to the broom block having bristles secured therein. A handle connector is releasably fastened to the handle and releasably pivotably connected to the broom block by means of a snap coupling.

5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures BROOM HAVING A REMOVABLE PIVOTABLE HANDLE BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The utilization of conventional brooms, wherein the bristles are fixedly secured with respect to the handles, resultsin the bristles being worn unevenly since all bristles do not move perpendicular to the floor during a sweeping operation.

This invention relates to a broom of the type provided with means for permitting pivotable displacement of the handle relative to the broom head and bristles.

Briefly, the broom includes a handle releasably secured to a handle socket and a broom block, having bristles secured thereto, which is pivotably attached to the handle socket. The broom block has a generally V- shaped recess therein for receiving and limiting the degree of displacement of the handle socket and handle relative to the broom block. Opposed projections on the lower end of the handle socket are snapped into bearing sockets formed within the broom block for securement thereto.

One of the primary objects of the invention isthe provision of a broom having the bristles mounted for displacement relative to the handle to facilitate utilization of the broom.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a broom wherein the head portion is readily and conveniently releasably secured to the handle.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a unique broom of simple construction having a handle pivotably mounted with respect to the broom head portion in a solid and stable manner.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of the broom of the present invention, the limits of displacement of the handle relative to the broom block and bristles being shown in broken line configuration;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the broom of FIG. 1 with portions broken away to illustrate the positioning of the handle socket within the handle;

FIG. 3 is an exploded, fragmentary perspective view of the broom block and handle socket illustrating the pivotable connection for permitting displacement of the handle and bristles relative to each other;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the broom illustrating the broom block and handle socket separated from the handle; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of the broom block illustrating the V-shaped recess and a bearing portion for receiving the handle socket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawing, the broom includes a head portion 12 having a tubular handle 14 secured thereto such that the handle and head portion can be displaced relative to each other to facilitate manipulation of the broom during the cleaning operation.

Thehead portion is formed of a plurality of bristles 16 secured to a broom block 18. The length and rigidity of bristles 16 may vary depending upon the particular employment of the broom 10. The broom block 18, for supporting the bristles 16, preferably is of a molded plastic construction having a generally V-shaped opening 22, as shown mostclearly by FIG. 3, for receiving a handle socket 20.

The handle socket 20, which may also be of a molded construction, is rigidly fastened to the handle 14 and pivotably receivable within the V-shaped opening 22 of broom block 18 for permitting the handle 14 to pivot relative to the head portion 12 of the broom. The handle socket 20 comprises a first generally cylindrical portion 24 for connection to the handle and second portion 26 for connection to the broom block 18. The portion 26 includes opposed, rounded projections or protuberances 28 which are received within opposed recesses 30 at the ends of the V-shaped notch 22. Each recess 30 defines a bearing. portion 32, which corresponds substantially in size and shape to a projection 28, and a guide portion for directing the projection 28 into the bearing portion 32. The walls 34 defining the guide portion converge downwardly and terminate at locations wherein the throat space b therebetween is less than the width a of the bearing portion 32 and the projection 28. Therefore, the projections 28 must be forced downwardly between the guide walls 34 and snapped into the bearing portions 32. The generally cylindrical portion 24 of the handle socket, adapted to be inserted into the handle 14 for securement thereto, is provided with a circumferential groove 36 and a groove 38 extending generally perpendicular from the circumferential groove 36 to the end of cylindrical portion 24. The lower end of handle 14 is punched or forced inwardly at a preselected location to form an inwardly directed portion 40. In securing the handle to the-handle socket, the projection 40 is aligned with the slot 38 and the handle displaced relative to the socket until the projection reaches circumferentially slot 36. A rotation of the handle 14 relative to the socket directs projection 40 away from the slot 38 thereby locking the handle 14 and socket 20 in assembled relation.

Therefore, it can be seen that the pivotable connection between the handle socket and the broom head portion 12 permits all the bristles to remain in contact with the surface being cleaned during manipulation of the broom.

I claim:

1. A broom comprising; a head portion having a plurality of bristles secured thereto, handle means, and connector means interconnecting said handle means and said head portion for permitting pivotable displace ment of said handle means relative to said head portion and said bristles for retaining said bristles generally perpendicular to a surface to be cleaned during manipulation of the broom, said connector means including opposed protuberance means extending therefrom, said head portion defining a notch therein for receiving a first portion of said connector means, said head portion further defining opposed recess means within said notch, said recess means including arcuate walls defining bearing sockets having throats for releasably snappingly receiving said protuberance means and said recess means further including converging walls extending from the outermost portion of said notch to first groove extending circumferentially thereof and a said throats defining guide portions for directing said second groove extending generally perpendicular to protuberance means to said bearing sockets during said first groove.

mounting of said connector means upon said head por- A brOom te in Claim 3. d ndle means tion. 5 including an elongated handle having means thereon 2. A broom as recited in claim 1, said connector for P I Z with Said first groove and Said SecOnd means including a second portion receivable within and groove releasably Securmg said handle 531d cooperating with said handle means for releasable Hector means- I s cu m m th t 5. A broom as recited in claim 1, wherein said head 3. A broom as recited in claim 2, said second portion F is of molded Plastic construction comprising a generally cylindrical member having a 

1. A broom comprising; a head portion having a plurality of bristles secured thereto, handle means, and connector means interconnecting said handle means and said head portion for permitting pivotable displacement of said handle means relative to said head portion and said bristles for retaining said bristles generally perpendicular to a surface to be cleaned during manipulation of the broom, said connector means including opposed protuberance means extending therefrom, said head portion defining a notch therein for receiving a first portion of said connector means, said head portion further defining opposed recess means within said notch, said recess means including arcuate walls defining bearing sockets having throats for releasably snappingly receiving said protuberance means and said recess means further including converging walls extending from the outermost portion of said notch to said throats defining guide portions for directing said protuberance means to said bearing sockets during mounting of said connector means upon said head portion.
 2. A broom as recited in claim 1, said connector means including a second portion receivable within and cooperating with said handle means for releasable securement thereto.
 3. A broom as recited in claim 2, said second portion comprising a generally cylindrical member having a first groove extending circumferentially thereof and a second groove extending generally perpendicular to said first Groove.
 4. A broom as recited in claim 3, said handle means including an elongated handle having means thereon for cooperating with said first groove and said second groove for releasably securing said handle to said connector means.
 5. A broom as recited in claim 1, wherein said head portion is of molded, plastic construction. 